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Refrigeration Cycles

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Chapter Objective
To carry out first law analysis on a refrigeration
cycle in which the working fluid undergoes
changes of phase as it completes the cycle.

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Refrigeration Cycle 4/24/2014 3

What is Refrigerator?

A reversed heat engine.

Absorb heat QL from a low-temperature medium
and reject the heat QH to a high-temperature
medium.

A working fluid called refrigerant flows through
components of the refrigerator, forming a
thermodynamic cycle called refrigeration cycle.

To perform the heat absorption and rejection
processes, the refrigerator requires a work input,
W net, in.

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Environment

QH

Reverse W net, in = required input

Heat
Engine

QL = desired output

COLD
refrigerated
space

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Total heat transfer to a cycle = Total work done by the cycle

Q = W
QL QH = Wnet ,in QH QL = Wnet ,in

Coefficient of performance of a refrigerator,

QL QL
COPref = = (1)
Wnet ,in QH QL

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Q23
The most efficient and
ideal refrigerator is the
3 2
one in which the condenser
engine compressor
refrigerant undergoes a W34 W12

reversed Carnot cycle

evaporator
while working between 4 1
2 specified
temperatures.
Q41

Components of a refrigerator working on

reversed Carnot cycle

Refrigeration Cycle 4/24/2014 7

Q23 T
Q23
T2 = T3 3 2
3 condenser 2
engine compressor W
W34 W12

T4 = T1 1
evaporator 4
Q41
4 1

s4 =s3 s1 =s2 s

Q41 T-s diagram for a refrigerator

working on reversed Carnot cycle

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The processes shown on the T-s

diagram are as follows: T
1-2 Wet vapor at state 1 enters Q23
the compressor and is T2 = T3 3 2
compressed isentropically to
state 2. The required input is W
denoted W12.
T4 = T1 1
2-3 The vapor at state 2 and is 4
Q41
condensed at constant
pressure and temperature to
state 3, when it is completely s4 =s3 s1 =s2 s
liquid. The heat rejected from
the refrigerant is denoted by
Q23.

Refrigeration Cycle 4/24/2014 9

3-4 The liquid refrigerant at state 3

T
expands isentropically behind Q23
3 2
the piston of an engine, doing T2 = T3
work of amount denoted by
W34. W

4-1 The refrigerant at state 4 enters T4 = T1 1

4 Q41
the evaporator where it absorb
heat denoted by Q41 from the
cold space, until it reaches state s4 =s3 s1 =s2 s
1.

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Cycles Performance
The performance of the cycle is T
Q23
measured by the Coefficient of 3 2
T2 = T3
Performance (COP), defined as,
QL Q41 W
COPref = = T4 = T1
W Q23 Q41 4 Q41
1

The definition of entropy change is,

s4 =s3 s1 =s2 s
dQ
ds = dQ = T ds
T

Refrigeration Cycle 4/24/2014 11

Q41 = T1 (s1 s4 ) T
3 Q23
2
T2 = T3
and
Q23 = T2 (s2 s3 ) W
T4 = T1 1
4 Q41
and

(s1 s4 ) = (s2 s3 )
s4 =s3 s1 =s2 s

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T
T1 (s1 s4 ) Q23
COPref = 3 2
(T2 T1 )(s1 s4 ) T2 = T3

W
i.e.
T4 = T1 1
T1 4 Q41
COPref = (2)
(T2 T1 )
s4 =s3 s1 =s2 s

Note: - where T1 = evaporator temperature

and T2 = condenser temperature
- only valid for reversed Carnot
cycle (for refrigerator)
- COP value is the maximum value
for a cycle
Refrigeration Cycle 4/24/2014 13

A vapor-compression refrigeration system operates on a

Carnot cycle, uses R-12 as the working fluid. The refrigerant
is dry saturated at entry to the condenser at 28C, and
saturated liquid leaving the condenser. The evaporator
temperature is -10C. Determine,
(a) The compressor input work (kJ/kg);
(b) The heat transfer in the evaporator (kJ/kg);
(c) The COP
Show the cycle on a T-s diagram.

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T
Q23
3 2
T2 = T3 = 28oC

T4 = T1 = -10oC 1
4
Q41

s4 =s3 s1 =s2 s

Refrigeration Cycle 4/24/2014 15

Evaporator coils

Freezer
compartment

Main components of
a household refrigerator

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T2 Q23

T2 T2 < T 2
3 condenser 2
engine compressor T1 > T 1
W34 W12

evaporator Therefore, Q23 can be

4 1 transferred from the
refrigerant to the atmosphere
T1 and Q41 can be transferred
Q41
from the refrigerated space to
T2 = T atmosphere
T1
the refrigerant.

T1 = T cold space

Refrigeration Cycle 4/24/2014 17

T
Q23
T2 3 2 T <T
2 2
T2

T1
T1 1 T1 > T 1
4 Q41

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Reversed Carnot cycle is not

practical since,
T
All the reversible processes 3 Q23
T2 = T3 2
cannot be achieved.
Process 1-2 is bad for
compressor low efficiency and W
two phase compression is T4 = T1 1
4 Q41
impractical.
It is difficult to stop evaporation
process at point 1 and s4 =s3 s1 =s2 s
compressed it just to state 2.
To get practical cycle, modification
to the reversed Carnot cycle is
made.

Refrigeration Cycle 4/24/2014 19

Carnot Cycle/
Ideal

Throttling valve
Throttling valve Two or more
+
+ throttling valves
Replacing the turbine Dry saturated or
Dry saturated or +
with a throttling superheated vapor
superheated vapor at Flash chamber
Valve at
entry to the +
(Ideal/actual) entry to the
Compressor 2-stage
compressor
(Ideal/actual) compression
+
Under-cooling at (Ideal/actual)
the condenser exit
(Ideal/actual)

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Process 3-4 is replaced with a throttle valve.

Q out T

3 3 q23
2 T2 2

Condenser Wc
T1 4 1
Expansion Compressor q41
valve
Evaporator
s4 s1 =s2 s
4 1 The expansion of the liquid refrigerant
Saturated or through the throttle valve is represented
superheated vapor by a dashed line 3-4 since the process is
Q in not reversible.

Replacement of expansion cylinder with a throttle valve

Refrigeration Cycle 4/24/2014 21

4-1 Constant Pressure

T
Evaporation
3 q23
Heat from a cold space is T2 2
absorbed by the refrigerant.
As a result, the refrigerant
evaporates at a constant T1 4 1
q41
evaporator pressure, from
state 4 to become a drier
s4 s1 =s2
liquid-vapor mixture at state 1. s

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1-2 Isentropic compression T

The liquid-vapor mixture is q23
T2 3 2
compressed from the
evaporator pressure to the
condenser pressure, in a
reversible adiabatic manner. T1 4 1
q41
The refrigerant exits the
compressor as a saturated
s4 s1 =s2 s
vapor at state 2.

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2-3 Constant Pressure T

Condensation
3 q23
Heat is rejected from the T2 2

refrigerant to a warm space. As a

result, the refrigerant condenses
at a constant condenser T1 4 1
q41
pressure until it becomes a
saturated liquid at state 3.
s4 s1 =s2 s

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3-4 Constant Enthalpy

Expansion T

The refrigerant expands 3 q23

T2 2
through the throttle valve
adiabatically. As a result, its
pressure drops from the
T1 4 1
condenser to the evaporator q41
pressure. The enthalpy is
constant during the process, s4 s1 =s2 s
i.e. h3 = h4.

Note: The expansion process is highly irreversible, thus making

the vapor-compression cycle an irreversible cycle.

Refrigeration Cycle 4/24/2014 25

Effects of using an expansion

T
valve
3 q23
i) A throttling process is an T2 2
expansion process with
constant enthalpy, (h3 = h4).
Therefore, no work done by T1 4 1
q41
the cycle, i.e. w34 = 0.
ii) The refrigeration effect, q41
decreases. s4 s1 =s2 s

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Analysis of the Cycle

The cycle operates as steady flow. T
So, each component of the vapor-
q23
compression refrigeration cycle T2 3 2
applies the steady flow energy
equation (SFEE) to analyze the
energy interaction. The changes in T1 4 1
q41
the kinetic and potential energy are
ignored.
s4 s1 =s2 s

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Analysis of the Cycle T

3 q23
Evaporation process (4-1): T2 2

q41 = h1 h4 kJ/kg
(3)
T1 4 1
(Refrigerating effect / q41
heat absorbed by the refrigerant)
s4 s1 =s2
Compression process (1-2): s

(4)
w12 = h2 h1 kJ/kg

(input work to the compressor)

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Analysis of the Cycle T

Condensation process (2-3): 3 q23

T2 2

q23 = h2 h3 kJ/kg (5)

T1 4 1
(heat rejected from the refrigerant) q41

Expansion process (3-4):

s4 s1 =s2 s
h3 = h4 kJ/kg (6)

(constant enthalpy process)

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Performance of the Cycle T

The performance of the vapor- T2 3 q23

2
compression refrigeration cycle
is measured by the coefficient of
performance of refrigerator, T1 4 1
COPref, defined as, q41

q41 h1 h4 s4 s1 =s2
COPref = = (7) s
w12 h2 h1

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An ideal vapor-compression refrigeration cycle uses R-134a as the

working fluid. The evaporator and condenser operate at 20oC and
1000 kPa respectively. The refrigerant is dry saturated at entry to the
compressor and saturated liquid at the condenser outlet. The mass
flow of the refrigerant is 3 kg/min. Determine,
(a) The COPref;
(b) The refrigerating effect (kW);
(c) The COPhp;
(d) The heat transfer to the cooling water in the condenser (kW).
Show the cycle on a T-s diagram.

Refrigeration Cycle 4/24/2014 31

T 2

Q23 P2 = P3 = 1000 kPa

T2 3

T1 = -20oC 1
4
Q41

s4 s1 =s2 s

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To make full use of the specific enthalpy of evaporation of the

refrigerant, the evaporation process is continued until the refrigerant
becomes a saturated vapor at 1.

T 2

3 q23
T2

T1 1
4 q41

s
The refrigerant exits the evaporator
as a saturated vapor

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2
In actual condition, the T
refrigerant evaporates until it 3 q23
T2
becomes superheated vapor at
state 1. This is to prevent the
carry-over of liquid refrigerant 1
T1 4
into the compressor. However, q41
the amount of superheat is
usually kept to minimum. s

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Effects of This Process

1. The refrigerant becomes 2
superheated vapor as it exits T
the compressor. 3 q23
T2
2. More work needs to be
supplied to the compressor to
compress the refrigerant. T1 1
3. The condensation process still 4 q41
occurs at a constant condenser
pressure, but not at a constant s
temperature.
4. More heat needs to be rejected
from the refrigerant to the
warm region.

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The refrigerant is condensed until its temperature is lower than

the saturation temperature at the condenser pressure, when it
exits the condenser.
Saturation temperature
at condenser pressure
2
P condenser
T

Tsat 2 q23
Degree
of sub-cooling
3 1 P evaporator
Tsat 1
4 q41 Degree
of superheat

s
Under-cooling of the refrigerant in the
condenser
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Effects of This Process

The line 3-4 representing the expansion process is shifted to the left,
thus line 4-1 representing the evaporation process increases in length.
Therefore, under-cooling of the refrigerant increases the refrigerating
effect of the cycle, which is a desirable effect.

Saturation temperature
at condenser pressure
2
P condenser
T

Tsat 2 q23
Degree
of sub-cooling
3 1 P evaporator
Tsat 1
4 q41 Degree
of superheat
s
Refrigeration Cycle 4/24/2014 37

Saturation temperature
Analysis of the Cycle at condenser pressure
2
P condenser
Evaporation process (4-1): T

Tsat 2 q23
q41 = ( h1 h4 ) (8) Degree
of sub-cooling
P evaporator
3 1
Tsat 1

Compression process (1-2): 4 q41 Degree

of superheat

s
w12 = ( h2 h1 ) (9)

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Saturation temperature
Analysis of the Cycle at condenser pressure
2
P condenser
Condensation process (2-3): T

q23 = ( h2 h3 ) (10) Degree

Tsat 2 q23

of sub-cooling
P evaporator
3 1
Expansion process (3-4): Tsat 1
4 q41 Degree
h3 = h4 (11) of superheat

Refrigeration Cycle 4/24/2014 39

Performance of the Cycle

Performance of the vapor-compression refrigeration
cycle is measured by the Coefficient of Performance of
refrigerator, COPref, defined as,

q41 ( h1 h4 )
COPref = = (12)
w12 ( h2 h1 )

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The p-h diagram

Another diagram frequently used P, (bar) T sat condenser
in the analysis of vapor-
compression refrigeration cycles is
the P-h diagram. 3 2 2
T
Three of the four processes appear sat evaporator
as straight lines.
The heat transfer in the condenser
and the evaporator is proportional
to the lengths of the corresponding 4 1
process curves.

Refrigeration Cycle 4/24/2014 41

The air temperature inside a cold room is controlled at a constant

value using a vapor compression refrigeration system with R-134a as
the refrigerant. The refrigerant leaves the evaporator dry saturated
and is compressed to 1 MPa. The refrigerant leaves the condenser at
35oC. The refrigerant is then throttled to the evaporator pressure of
240 kPa. The isentropic efficiency of the compressor is 85%. The
refrigeration load is 100 kW. Determine,
(a) The temperature of the refrigerant which leaves the compressor
(oC);
(b) The mass flow rate of the refrigerant (kg/s);
(c) The coefficient of performance of the refrigeration system.
Show the cycle on a p-h diagram.

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P, (bar)

3 Ts = 45oC 2 2
10.84

2.610
4 1

Refrigeration Cycle 4/24/2014 43

It is proposed to use a heat pump working on the ideal vapor-

compression cycle for the purpose of heating the air supply to an
incubation room from 25oC to 37oC at a rate of 1.06 kg/s. The supply
of heat is taken from a refrigerated room at 7oC. For the air, take cp
=1.005 kJ/kgK.
The refrigerant is R12 which is dry saturated leaving the evaporator.
A temperature difference of 17 K is necessary for the transfer of heat
from the refrigerated room to the refrigerant in the evaporator. The
delivery pressure of the compressor is 10.84 bar and there is 5 K of
under-cooling of refrigerant in the condenser.

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Show the schematic diagram of the components and the cycle on a

T-s diagram and p-h diagram. Calculate,
(a) The heat load (kW);
(b) The mass flow of the refrigerant (kg/s);
(c) The refrigerating effect (kW);
(d) The motor power required to drive the compressor if the
mechanical efficiency is 87%;
(e) The COPhp;
(f) The COPref.

Refrigeration Cycle 4/24/2014 45

10.84 bar
2
2
T P

Tsat Q23 3 2 2
5K
3
17K
-10oC 4 Q41 1 4 1

h
s

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The most important quantity in refrigeration or

freezing application is the total of heat required to be
moved from a cold space.
This heat is called refrigerating load.
Measured in `ton or kilowatt or Btu/min.
Unit conversion: 1 ton = 200 Btu/min = 3.516 kW.

Refrigeration Cycle 4/24/2014 47

Refrigerating load is,

Q 41 = m ref x Q41 = m ref (h1 h4 )

The mass flow rate of the refrigerant is,

Q 41
m ref = (kg / s ) (13)
(h1 h4 )

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Features of the diagram

It is more convenient to

Pressure (bar)
represent the vapor-
compression refrigeration
cycle on a pressure-enthalpy
(p-h) diagram, because the
enthalpies required for the
calculation can be read off
directly from the diagram.
Enthalpy (kJ/kg)

Refrigeration Cycle 4/24/2014 49

Figure shows the vapor-

compression refrigeration cycle
shown on a p-h diagram. Note that
the cycle shown is with under-
cooling of the refrigerant at the
exit of the condenser.

Q1 = (h1 h4)
W=
(h2 h1)
Vapor-compression cycle on a p-h diagram

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Q out
(1)

5 4
Condenser Wc
What is Flash Chamber? (1) Expansion Compressor
Flash chamber is a device used valve 1
(1) 3
to separate vapor refrigerant 6
9
from the liquid refrigerant. Direct contact
Flash (x) heat exchanger
When a flash chamber is used, chamber 2
the compression process needs 7 2 (1-x)
(1-x)
to be carried out in two stages. Expansion
valve 2 Compressor Wc
Evaporator
Schematic diagram of a refrigeration 1
plant with two-stage compression 8 (1-x)
and a flash chamber.
Qin
Refrigeration Cycle 4/24/2014 51

Q out
(1)

The refrigerant leaving the

expansion valve 1 as a mixture of 5 4
vapor and liquid (wet vapor). The Condenser Wc
vapor refrigerant has no more (1) Expansion Compressor
capability to absorb heat in the valve 1
(1) 3
evaporator. Thus, it is no use to pass 6
9
the vapor through the evaporator. Direct contact
Flash (x) heat exchanger
2
It is more practical to separate the chamber
7 2 (1-x)
vapor from the mixture at some (1-x)
intermediate pressure, pi and allow Expansion
Compressor Wc
valve 2
only the liquid refrigerant to flow
through the evaporator. The liquid Evaporator
refrigerant has full capability to 1
8 (1-x)
absorb the heat in the evaporator.
Qin
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Q out
Process (1)

Suppose 1 kg of refrigerant flowing

through the condenser. At the flash 5 4
chamber, x kg of dry saturated vapor at Condenser Wc
pressure pi and enthalpy hgi is bled off (1) Expansion Compressor
to the inter-sage of the compressor. valve 1
(1) 3
6
The remaining mass of (1-x) kg of liquid 9
Direct contact
with enthalpy hfi passes through the Flash (x) heat exchanger
chamber 2
throttle valve 2 and then to the
evaporator. 7 2 (1-x)
(1-x)
Expansion
At the intermediate pressure pi , (1-x) valve 2 Compressor Wc
kg of vapor at state 2 is mixed with x kg
Evaporator
of flash vapor of enthalpy hgi . The
resultant mixture at state 3 is 1
8 (1-x)
compressed in the second stage
compressor, to state 4.
Qin
Refrigeration Cycle 4/24/2014 53

2 compressors, 1 evaporator, 1
P
condenser, and 1 flash chamber.
Point 2, 3, 6, 7 and 9 are located on
the same intermediate pressure pi . pi 4
(1) kg
is chosen so that the compressor 5
work is minimum.
6 (x) kg 9
pi = (p1 . p4)1/2 7 2
3
The flash chamber pressure = The
(1-x) kg
intermediate pressure, pi .
8 1

h
Vapor-compression refrigeration cycle
with two-stage compression and a flash
chamber on a p-h diagram

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Saturated liquid enter the 2nd

expansion valve at point 7. P

The flash chamber contains

mixture of saturated water and
4
vapor. 5 (1) kg

The dry saturated vapor from

(x) kg 9
the flash chamber at point 9 mix 7 6
2
with the superheated vapor 3
from the 1st stage compressor at (1-x) kg
point 2 to yield superheated 8 1
vapor at point 3.
The superheated vapor at point 3 h
is compressed to point 4
through the 2nd stage
compressor.
Refrigeration Cycle 4/24/2014 55

The amount of dry saturated

vapor bled off is given by the
4
dryness fraction x at state 6, at 5 (1) kg
the intermediate pressure pi .
6 (x) kg 9
Since the enthalpy of the 7 2
refrigerant at state 6 is equal to 3
the enthalpy at state 5, we (1-x) kg
have, 8 1

h
h6 = h5 = h fi + ( x) h fgi

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Thus,
(1) kg 4
5
h5 h fi
x= (14)
h fgi 7 6 (x) kg 9
2
3
(1-x) kg
8 1

Refrigeration Cycle 4/24/2014 57

P
3 (1) kg
(x) kg

9 (1) kg 4
2 5

(1-x) kg (x) kg 9
7 6
2
3
Q/ W/ = H exit H inlet
(1-x) kg
0 = 1.h3 [x.h9 + (1 x ).h2 ] 8 1

Thus, h

h3 = h2 x.(h2 h9 ) (15)

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P
a) Total work input to the
compressors
(1) kg 4
Since the compression process is 5
carried out in two stages, the total
(x) kg 9
work input to the cycle is, 7 6
2
3

W in = W12 + W34 8
(1-x) kg
1

i.e. h

W in = (1 x )(h2 h1 ) + (h4 h3 ) (16)

Refrigeration Cycle 4/24/2014 59

P
b) Refrigerating effects
The refrigerating effects of the 4
(1) kg
cycle is 5

6 (x) kg 9
7
Q81 = (1 x )(h1 h8 ) (17) 3
2

(1-x) kg
8 1

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P
c) Heat rejected in the condenser
The heat rejected from the 4
(1) kg
refrigerant is 5

6 (x) kg 9
7
Q45 = (h4 h5 ) (18) 3
2

(1-x) kg
8 1

Refrigeration Cycle 4/24/2014 61

P
d) Coefficient of performance
The coefficient of performance of the 4
(1) kg
cycle is 5

6 (x) kg 9
7
Q81 2
COPref = 3
Win (1-x) kg
8 1

h
COPref =
(1 x )(h1 h8 )
(19)
(1 x )(h2 h1 ) + (h4 h3 )

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Increase in refrigerating effects of the cycle.

Lower amount of compression work.
Increase in the coefficient of performance.

Refrigeration Cycle 4/24/2014 63

The refrigeration system becomes more complex

since there are more equipments and piping
system required.
Higher capital costs for setting up the plant
Higher maintenance costs.

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A two-stage vapor-compression refrigeration system uses Refrigerant-

134a as the working fluid. Saturated vapor enters the first compressor
stage at -30oC and saturated liquid leaves the condenser at 11.595 bar.
The system is equipped with a flash chamber, which operates at a
pressure of 4.1459 bar. If each compressor stage operates
isentropically and the refrigerating capacity of the system is 10 tons,
determine,
(a) the mass flow rate of the refrigerant through the evaporator
kg/s;
(b) the power input to each compressor (kW);
(c) The coefficient of performance.
Show the cycle on a T-s diagram. (1 ton refrigeration = 3.516 kW)

Refrigeration Cycle 4/24/2014 65

T oC

2
5 (1)

(x)
7 3
6 9
(1-x)

8 1
s

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A vapor-compression refrigeration plant uses refrigerant R134a and

has a suction saturation temperature of -5oC and a condenser
saturation temperature of 45oC. The vapor is dry saturated on entering
the compressor and there is no under-cooling of the condensate. The
compression is carried out isentropically in two stages and a flash
chamber is employed at an intersage saturation temperature of 15oC.
Determine:
a) the amount of vapor bled off at the flash chamber;
b) the state of vapor at inlet to the 2nd compressor stage;
c) the refrigerating effect;
d) the work input;
e) the COPref.

Refrigeration Cycle 4/24/2014 67

A two-stage compression refrigeration system is to operate

between the pressure limits of 1 MPa and 0.1 MPa. The working
fluid is Refrigerant-134a. The refrigerant leaves the condenser as
a saturated liquid and is throttled to a flash chamber operating at
0.32 MPa. Part of the refrigerant evaporates leaving the low
flashing process, and this vapour mixed with the refrigerant
leaving the low-pressure compressor. The mixture is then
compressed to the condenser pressure by the high-pressure
compressor. The liquid in the flash chamber is throttled to the
evaporator pressure and cools the refrigerated space as it
vaporizes in the evaporator. Assuming the refrigerant leaves the
evaporator as a saturated vapour and both compressors are
isentropic, determine:

Refrigeration Cycle 4/24/2014 68

34
 24/4/2014

(a) The fraction of the refrigerant which evaporates

as it throttled to the flash chamber;
(b) The amount of heat removed from the
refrigerated space (kJ/kg);
(c) The compressor work (kJ/kg);
(d) The COPref.
Illustrated the schematic layout of the refrigeration
system showing clearly the respective components
and also its p-h diagram.

Refrigeration Cycle 4/24/2014 69

Q out
4 (1)

T oC 5
4
Condenser Wc
(1) Expansion Compressor
valve 1
2
(1) 3
5 (1) 6
9
Direct contact
Flash (x)
heat exchanger
chamber 2
(x)
7 3 7 2 (1-x)
(1-x)
6 9
(1-x) Expansion Compressor Wc
valve 2
8 1 Evaporator

s (1-x)
1
8

Qin

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